HC Deb 07 August 1913 vol 56 cc1729-30
15. Mr. HORNER

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that discontent exists amongst both the officers and rank and file of the Royal Irish Constabulary on the question of their pay and allowances; and whether, having regard to the increased cost of living since the present rates were fixed, he will now have a full inquiry and report made into these grievances with a view to their removal?

Mr. BIRRELL

Representations have been made by members of the force in various parts of the country as to the inadequacy of the existing rates of pay, and these representations will receive careful consideration.

18. Mr. O'DOWD

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will explain the grounds on which the constabulary authorities base their demand on the Sligo County Council for costs incurred in connection with an extra force of police stationed in the borough of Sligo during the recent strike there?

10. Mr. SCANLAN

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the charge made against the County Council of Sligo in respect of the extra police called into the town of Sligo in connection with the recent strike; and whether, in view of all the circum- stances of the strike and the financial interests of the county and borough, he will be prepared to recommend that the proposed charge be remitted and the whole cost of the extra police defrayed out of the general funds from which police pay is provided?

Mr. BIRRELL

My attention has been called to this matter. I am informed that in connection with the labour disputes in Sligo last March, extra forces consisting of 110 men of the Reserve and 128 men from the free forces of other counties were sent to Sligo. The total amount payable by the county council in respect of these forces is £1,068 ls. 6d., of which a sum of £101 6s. 7d. is due in regard to the half year ended 31st March last. In accordance with the usual practice in cases where extra forces of police are composed of men of the Reserve and men from the free forces of other counties, the charge in this case has been made on the county at large, as no charge for the men from the free forces of other counties could be made on the urban district of Sligo. The charge is a statutory one, and there is no power to remit any portion of it. The Constabulary Vote is already charged with a large proportion of the cost of the extra forces.

Mr. O'DOWD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was a demand for £3,000 from the Sligo County Council in 1903, and that that demand was cancelled by the then Chief Secretary, the late Mr. George Wyndham?

Mr. BIRRELL

I would like notice of that. As it stands, there is a statutory charge which I have no power to remit.

Mr. O'DOWD

I, as Chairman of the County Council, will vouch for my statement.